Friday, November 29, 2013

In my last blog (26th Nov.)
concerning the recent discoveries at Lumbini, I mentioned that not having read
the archaeological report I was not really able to comment on it and that it
might be best not to get too excited until the jury is in. Well, one of my
readers, Venerable Indrajala, has very kindly sent me a link to the report. You can read it
at

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

You will have heard the news. Archaeologists
say they have discovered evidence suggesting that Buddhism may be at least 100
years or more older than has been
previously thought. This will be not just an interesting but also an important
piece of evidence – if it can be verified. All sources agree that the Buddha
lived for 80 years but there is wide disagreement about exactly when he was
born. From at least as early as the 2nd century BCE, Sri Lankans
have believed that he was born in 624 BCE. This date probably reflects the
belief in India at the time
Buddhism was introduced into Sri
Lanka. Up to now most historians and Indologists
have considered this date to be too early. Until recently 563 BCE was
thought to be the more likely date of his birth. However, in 1988 an
international conference was held at Gottingen
University in Germany to
review all the evidence pertaining to the Buddha’s dates and there was
wide consensus among scholars that he was born later than 563, perhaps as much
as a 100 years later. More research is needed before we can be sure. All the papers read at the conference
can be read in Heinz Bechert’s 1995 When Did the Buddha Live?

Of course, uncertainty about the Buddha’s
dates has no bearing on the veracity of his Dhamma. Nonetheless, a certain date
would allow us to have a better understanding of the forces that influenced the
Buddha’s teaching and how he presented it. I have not read the archaeological
report that contains these new findings and
the press reports of it so far give very
few details. The main evidence seems to be this; that digging under the
foundations of the Maha
Maya Temple
in Lumbini where Prince Siddhattha was born has revealed the remains of what
appears to be a tree shrine and wood from this shrine has been carbon 14 dated
at aprox. 600 BCE. Siddhattha’s birth took place under a tree and the
assumption is that the actual remains of the tree have been located. There are
more than a few problems with these conclusions. Is there any evidence that the
tree was worshipped by Buddhists? The tree around which the shrine (if
that’s what it is) was built could have been alive for several hundred years
before Buddhists started worshiping it. Etc, etc, etc.

Some scientists and researchers nowadays are in
the habit of announcing headline-grabbing accounts of their discoveries long
before they have actually been confirmed. Before we start getting too excited
about these new discoveries let’s wait until the jury is in. You can read more about the
discoveries at

Saturday, November 23, 2013

When in London
this September I visited Highgate
Cemetery, the last
resting place of some 170,000 people. Of course the cemetery’s most famous grave is that of
Karl Marx. But Robert
Cesar Childers’ (died 1876) who compiled
the first Pali English dictionary is there somewhere too although I could not
find it. Parts of the cemetery are well
maintained but most if it is overgrown and rather spooky. While walking through
an overgrown and dark section my eye was
caught by the word Nirvana on one of the partly obscured moss-covered
tombstones. Perhaps Calbe Pink (died 1907) was an early Buddhist or Theosophist.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

The 15th century Moroccan Sufi saint Muhammad ibn Sulayman
al-Jazuli authored a wonderful little book of contemplation. While
Muslims usually consider dogs to be impure al Jazuli saw them as having many
virtues well worth emulating. This is his Ten Attributes of Dogs.

1. He sleeps only a little at night; a sign of the lovers of God (muhibbin). 2. He never complains of heat or cold; a sign of the patient (sabirin).
3. When he dies, he leaves nothing which
can be inherited from him; a sign of his simplicity (zahidin). 4. He
is neither angry nor hateful; a sign of the faithful (mu’minin). 5. He
does not mourn the loss of a close relative, nor does he
accept assistance; a sign of the secure (muqinin). 6. He is happy with
whatever is given to him; a sign of the contented (qani’in). 7. He has
no place to live; this is a sign of the wanderers (sa’ihin). 8. He
sleeps anywhere; this is a sign of the easily
satisfied (radiyin). 9. Once he knows his master, he never despises him, even if he beats or starves him; a sign of the true knowers (’arifin).
10. He is always hungry; a sign of the virtuous (salihin).

Saturday, November 9, 2013

I sit now before the Buddha and
contemplate that by seeing the aggregates as empty He attained great peace. It
is His unmoved stillness and sorrowless compassion that shall be my
inspiration. Those who are angry at injustice, impatient for change, despairing
at tragedy, elated today and depressed tomorrow, are soon exhausted. But those
whose minds are always still and who abide in peace, are abundant in energy.
They, like the Buddha, are islands of peace in a sea of turmoil and a refuge to
all beings.

Therefore, I will seek peace and quiet, avoiding always the loud, the noisy and
those who wish to argue.
I will strive to restore harmony to those who are at odds.
I will speak without abuse or harshness, gentle always, with words sweet and
true.
I will strive to be conciliatory and yielding, and never be a source of
conflict for others.
May all who live in turmoil find the peace they long for.
May my heart be free from agitation of defilements.
May my abiding in peace help in the freeing of the heart.

About Me

I am not the 5th or 9th reincarnation of a great lama, I have not recived any empowerments or initiations, I am not the holder of any lineage, I am yet to attain any of the jhanas, I am not a widely respected teacher, I am not a stream enterer (at least I don't feel like one)and I do not have many disciples. Nontheless, you may find some of my observations and musings interesting. I have been a Buddhist monk for 32 years and am the spiritual advisor to the Buddha Dhamma Mandala Society in Singapore.